We live in a world that is confused about a good many things. Years ago someone came to my door from Greenpeace or some other such group seeking money to save the babies seals, or baby whales or something. I stopped them and said that I wanted to ask them a question first: Do they agree with me that abortion is wrong. Oh, no clearly not – the choice of the mother cannot be violated. It told them that we could not continue in agreement about baby animals because our moral compasses were pointing to different True Norths. Until they could see that human babies are infinitely more valuable than baby animals, we have little to say to one another.
Sadly, for some today, there is more conviction that animals have more of a right to life than unborn children. One recognized ethicist has written that,
“The right to life is grounded in the ability to plan and anticipate one’s future. [given what he says next one wonders if he can anticipate the future] This extends the concept to non-human animals, such as other apes, but since the unborn, infants and severely disabled people lack this,” he states that “abortion, painless infanticide and euthanasia can be “justified” (but are not obligatory) in certain special circumstances, for instance in the case of severely disabled infants whose life would cause suffering both to themselves and to their parents.”
It is for this and many other reasons that we at RCC have set aside today as Anti-Abortion Sunday, to stand before the Lord in opposition to the disgraceful and abhorrent sin of abortion, calling upon Him to bring this horric practice to an end.
While its important to hate and actively oppose the sin of abortion, even more we must lovingly celebrate the children given to us, and raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord Jesus. And so with Christians all over our land, we also acknowledge what has been called the Sanctity of Humna Life Sunday. What more fitting way to do so than to welcome Autumn Hayes into the church of Jesus Christ through the waters of baptism – for the Apostle Paul declared that the children of believers are to be numbered with the holy, the sanctified people of God (1 Cor. 714).
Grandfather and Newly Born Autumn
Autumn Lynn Hayes was born yesterday, November 28th, at 9:51 AM. We was 7lb 14oz and 20 1/2 in. Jon and Michelle were so excited and the birth went wornderfully.
Mommy and Autumn's first moments
Daddy and his girl
Grammy's first time with Autumn
I don't think Christian was quite ready for being a big brother!
Even Great-Grandma and Grandpa Hayes were there!
Autumn is a wonderful time of year – full of beautiful colors and transitions. Grandfather took advantage of a dry day to do a little yard work today, and Christian came out and played in the leaves with me. He especially liked using the rake!
Notice at about 1 minute in to this video that it is the first time that I have heard him call me “Grandfather” so clearly (in his own way, of course)! Happy day!!!!
Gracie on Holiday
For those of you with a need to laugh and enjoy yourself – I recommend my daughter Grace’s blog. She is on a long trip Holland (four weeks) and then to Hawaii (1 week). She is documenting her trip with a flair that is quintessentially Grace!!!
Rejoice with us in the birth of Lily Eden Hayes. 
She was born yesterday at 4:27 PM, and was 20 1/2 inches and 8 lb 5 oz, and is healthy and beautiful.
Yesterday was our best boy’s First Birthday!
Our favorite grandson is One!
How amazing that a whole year has gone by since I snuggled and rocked a tiny little man through the night while Mommy & Daddy recovered from his entrance into the world. It’s been a marvelous year of funny faces, energy, and life. Christian is a complete sweetheart, nearly always happy and from day one has been BUSY! He walks so well it could almost be called running and his little man-face has never stopped amusing us all with its crazy expressions. He has been quite a treat of a first grandson.
Thank goodness Michelle and her sister Boo came to help set up for a couple of hours! Without that and Jon & Michelle's help the next day cleaning up, I would've died off somewhere along the way!
Since August 11th fell on Family Night, Michelle let me throw Christian’s first birthday party. Being of the opinion that 1st birthdays DO matter, I decided to do what I could to go all out. From Kathy (of course!), I’ve learned there are many fun party ideas out there that go beyond balloons and streamers if you’re willing to do a little research. Since Christian isn’t old enough to insist on Batman or Barney, I got to choose something I wanted to do. Growing up, I remember being fascinated with a particular circus-train cake in a book my mom used to get ideas from for our birthdays. For some reason, it stuck with me and was something I had wished I had little kiddos for: so I could throw a baby-circus party. Well, now I had my chance! I didn’t make that particular cake, but after a little time on the internet, I did find lots of fun “vintage” circus ideas. So, for Christian’s 1st birthday, the “Big Top” came to our backyard!
Our Big Top - not quite Barnum and Bailey's, but you get the idea
Everyone seemed to enjoy Christian’s big night – the Lord gave us a beautiful day (a rarity this summer!), Christian seemed to have a blast and nearly everything looked like I had pictured it in my head (also a rarity).
Cake & Candy Galore!
"3 Ring Circus" fun for babies - trapeze pinata, ball pit and climbing podiums with bubbles
"3 Ring Circus" fun for babies - trapeze pinata, ball pit and climbing podiums with bubbles
There were many more ideas than I could afford to produce – some of the party websites showed beautiful circuses, complete with popcorn carts and live monkeys! However, pretty much everything I was going for worked out okay and I was happy with how the party looked. It was all very fun.
Happy Birthday Cake
Flag banners - a great way to use up your fabric scrap bag!
We had 4 circus fair booths - "snacks", "ring toss" in which you had to ring a jar to get your drink or soda, "Lemonade" for the drinks, and "Hot Dogs" for dinner
I promised Jessica I’d put up lots of pictures and video on the internet – so here’s the video highlights and my Picasa Web slideshow.
Praise God for filling our home with laughter, joy, family and fun! Christian is a treasure we are so blessed to celebrate each day of his life and especially on his first birthday. Now that Christian is one, we have no more babies 
Good thing a new supply is coming!
We tried and tried to get year-one portraits of Christian. He was just too busy to be interested or excited. But boy did he light up when Grandfather got home!
We love our Christian!
- Grammy
Hits
